The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-06-11
hattering preference for her very august


hattering preference for her very august
self
Everything is settled, am sure" Mrs,
Seaforth said jubilantlv TO her niece one
morning. "If she had been af ordinary
bcarder, and If had not felt presenti-
ment of just what might happen should
never have bought such a costly lot of
things for her rooms. But they are surely
engaged--she hiuted as much just now
whihe was putting up those lovely shades
for her windows. Well, King is 10 be con-
gratulated, but then he was ALWAYS un=
commonly shrewd; he resembles me there
much more than his father, who belonged
to your bi anch of the family; you know,
rhemy."
Phemy did not heed the magnanimous
compliment, At the instant she had turned
from her work and with soft glad cry had
put both her pretty hands toward a smiling
young man, who just then stepped across
the threshold of the room.
And the young man took both the i'm
pulsivc handa in his eager clasp, and, SEEM
ipgly oblivious of any other presence, had
bent and kissed the tremulous rosebud
mouth. 80
well, 1 am astonished, must say"
Mrs. Scaforth calculated, in shocked re-
buke,
'You have no reason TO be-" the smiling
Mr.. Alden returned, with somewhat re-
served courtesy; ''your little niece is to be
my wife. And am happy to assure YOU
| can provide for her more bountifnlly than
you may haye supposed!-as, with my dear
step-sister, Miss Natalia Roche, chance
to be co-heir to very plenteous property.
THAT was one of the gratifying d!solos-
ures to which you alluded in your note, no
doubt" said King, who had just sauntered
through an inner door and stood listening
with a half-sneer beneath his shiny mus
tache.
Mr.. Alden bowed with dignity; evidently
he had purpose in revealing his happy
fortune then and therel for there was an
amused look upon his fine features as he
turned quietly to somebody who had paused
in the hall behind him.
my sisteF is with me-Miss Roche" he
said, as lie drew forward delicate, gray
haired, mild-eyed, little lady attired plainly
in none too expensive mourning black.
h. At this juncture the brilliantly discerning
Mrs, Seaforth felt her astpnishment was
becoming rather more bewildering than
comfortable.
~ believe + already have the honor of
entertaining the heiress-Miss Nataia
Roche" sad she, attempting one of the
imposing airs she had copied from her dis
tinsuished new boarder.
"iou have undoubtedly been entertain
ing an unserHpuious maid whom 1 dis
charged some weeks ago." the mild-eyed
little lady said calmly, and with tone and
manner which we're sufficiently convinc-
ing.
The dead silence winch followed was not
unlike the hush succeeding thunderbolt.
Then the naughty Phemy giggled, very
small giggle and instantly regretted.
The startled King sheepishly twirled his
shiny mustache, hesitatsd, and then vail
antly strode up the stairs to the freshly
adorned sepond-apor parlor
But the Too persuasive imposter had fore
stalled the storm, and had vanished no one
knew whittier, and no one, perhaps, cared
TO pursue her.
Mrs. Seaforth dropped Imply into the
nearest chair and stared in blankest con-
sternation.
"Well, l have been imposed upon for
once, l must say" she admitted obviously,
as if she had not quite decided whether TO
laugh at the ludicrous denouement or to
cry at the rude demolition of all her mag
nihcent castles In the air.
sand after all, the affaiE might have
ended less fortunately" she remarked some
time later to her niece. "And you, at
\ least, Phemy. have been lucky enough"
MY branch of the family had the luck
| instead pf the shrewdness, you know.
apntie," was the demurelY mischieyous
answer.